The NHS faces many problems and needs significant reform. The NHS is working far beyond its capacity due to surging demand, but what are the fundamental drivers behind the demand?
As a nation, we are becoming sicker; life expectancy is now dropping; and the health of the nation is in decline. Why is this happening? Until we have these answers, we cannot possibly begin to comprehend “HOW TO FIX THE NHS”.
Any politician who claims to know how to fix the NHS without answering this fundamental question does not know what they are talking about and so will be destined to fail. Understanding the key determinants that are driving this change to a sicker Britain will be my number one priority.
There are secondary issues that I will also cover below.
Poor Mental Health
We are seeing a surge in young adults with poor mental health. I believe this is a significant driving factor. Why? Individuals with poor mental health are a huge risk factor for poor physical health later in life. They are much more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses, which are currently overloading our NHS. So, what is driving this epidemic of poor mental health in young adults? The answer to this question is fundamental to our understanding of the above question.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
We know that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contribute greatly to this. We also know that children raised in unstable and disrupted environments are more likely to succumb to mental illness later in life. We need an open and honest debate about this. We need to empower families to provide a warm and nurturing environment for their children. Doing so will significantly reduce their risk of developing mental illness later on in life and associated physical illness even later on. Safeguarding the health and welfare of children is an absolute prerequisite to a sustainable, long-term healthcare strategy.
Secondary Improvement Areas
While important, I believe that these areas of the NHS need improvement
- Nurses' bursaries reintroduced.
- Doctors undergo at least 5 years of training, accumulating £100,000 of student loan debt. I would like this loan cancelled at 10% per year of NHS service.
- Improved patient data IT systems like EPIC as used in Kings College Hospital
- A UK wide single patient system with strict access controls and audits of patient record access.
- Single Procurement, Accounts Payable, Ledger, HR, and Payroll system for all PCTs across the UK. Having worked in mergers and acquisitions, I am aware that this is achievable and would result in considerable cost and resource savings while limiting fraudulent opportunities.
- The scrapping of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusion directors, managers and staff.
- A reduction of non-clinically qualified staff from 48% to 25% over 5 years.
- The granting of permission to travel to the UK contingent upon having adequate medical insurance.
- No more PFI contracts.
Comment
I am fully supportive of our NHS providing free medical care at the point of use for all UK Citizens.
My opinion is that clinical staff are dedicated and loyal and do their utmost to help and heal their patients, but they need more help.